phrf sailors head for the finish line during the fall...

SOUTHERN YACHT CLUB • FOUNDED 1849 NEW ORLEANS • NOVEMBER 2013

30º01.73’N 90º06.70’W

PHRF Sailors head for the finish line

during the Fall Series

A nice crowd had assembled in the bar after the club had

hastily reopened following Tropical Storm Karen. Thirty six

hours earlier, warning of impending rising water and potentially

building winds, especially if Karen stalled, put Rear Commodore

Scott Sonnier, Chairman of the Hurricane Preparedness Commit-

tee, into action. Club boats were relocated, contact was estab-

lished with the City and Orleans Levee District, and equipment

was moved to higher ground by staff and volunteers. Race Com-

mittee Chair George Hero moved Patrol II to the wet slip with

the help of an eager junior, Scott Adams. Duff Friend, chairmen of the Building and Grounds Com-

mittee moved furniture and equipment, dismantled outside electronics, Tiki Bar equipment and

sealed our porous doors around the building with duct tape. The work was a great exercise in

preparation, but unnecessary due to a west wind shearing the storm to the east. So with a room of

loyal Saints fans breaking their cabin fever, we enjoyed gumbo and hamburgers and a Drew Brees

cocktail. I began thinking about the upcoming need to undo the preparation work and ask our vol-

unteers to come back for more fun in the sun. At that moment, a Commodore (for life) handed me

a photo showing plastic lawn furniture in a backyard with one chair blown over. The caption read,

“HURRICANE KAREN/NEVER FORGET”. The sarcasm was biting, but a strange sense of relief

that we had ‘prepared for the worst and gotten the best’ overwhelmed me - I knew then I was back

home, and the Saints won another one too.

The SYC Golf tournament and Fishing Rodeo were post-

poned from their original dates. Results will be posted when

rescheduled and completed.

In October, the annual 2 pound Lobster Dinner, dedicated to

the racing and exploits of our team racers in Newport this year,

was held. With a strong turnout, recognition of the 2nd place

finish of our Hinman Masters, 3rd place and most improved

team was awarded our Grandmasters, and applause for our

Morgan Cup team, which must have won in the bar.

The 164th SYC Closing ceremonies occur in October, but

some of the best sailing on Lake Pontchartrain is coming in

November. The Southern Soiland Cup, our Fall team racing event, has 10 teams from around the

country and world lined up against defending champion, SYC.

Great Oaks Regatta, brainchild of Chris Clements, has been a fantastic high school fleet racing

event attracting 40 teams from around the country. Great Oaks is scheduled to be sailed November

22nd to 24th and caters to the up and coming teams, building confidence and camaraderie for life

via sailing.

To our junior parent volunteers and race committee, Thanksgiving means one thing-Optimist

Midwinter Regatta. This event attracts the best sailors in the country and they come prepared for

whatever the weather dictates: Midwinter Regatta conditions could require dry suits in the blustery

morning, with competitors being able to jump in the pool as the weather warms in the afternoon.

With a generous donation from Allstate Sugar Bowl to promote youth sailing, sailors will enjoy a

great Fall regatta, along with turkey and all the trimmings.

Team racing (Commodore Dwight [email protected]), continued next page

105 North Roadway DriveNew Orleans, LA 70124

(504) 288-4221 • Fax (504) 283-0621www.southernyachtclub.org

COMMODORE’S CORNEROfficial Publication of the

SOUTHERN YACHT CLUB

General ManagerJerry Clemens

FLAG OFFICERS

CommodoreJulian S. Richards, Jr.

Vice-CommodoreMerlin R. Wilson, Jr., MD.

Rear-CommodoreScott J. Sonnier

Secretary-TreasurerGuy P. Brierre

FLEET OFFICERS

Fleet SurgeonEdward J. Boos, DDS

Fleet CaptainMamsie Manard

Fleet MeasurerKaren S. Reisch

GOVERNING COMMITTEE

Robert B. Friend

Blaine M. Gahagan

George A. Hero, IV

Shan L. Kirk

Wilson A. Lagraize, Jr.

John C. Lovell, III

Timothy B. Molony, MD

Charles B. Montgomery

Nov 2013 2 SYC TELL-TALE

I am very happy and relieved that Tropical Storm Karen was a non-event. It was a large un-

dertaking and a good exercise to get the club prepared for the possibility of another storm. I

think that it was a good test to see how our hurricane plan really worked. I think we learned a

lot and that we will be better prepared for the next possible event that hopefully will never

come. It was great to see how so many people pitched in and did their part.

The Fall Junior Sailing Program is rolling along and the kids are really enjoying the great

weather and good sailing conditions. Our Opti Sailing Team just competed in the SE Optimist

Championships in Pensacola, FL and are now on their way to California for the USODA West

Coast Championships to compete for spaces on the US National Team and International Travel

Teams. Our kids are really doing well and they improve with every practice and regatta. I ex-

pect all of our kids to make international spring teams.

The Junior Sailing Program will be announcing soon

that it will hold its first ever, major Fundraising Gala on

February 8th which will include dinner, dancing, silent

auction and live auction. This fundraiser’s purpose is to

create a better learning environment for the junior

sailors, which will help our program grow and in turn,

produce better sailors. Our goals include providing bet-

ter coaching, better training for our current coaching

staff, improving our equipment and establishing a travel

fund to encourage national and international competi-

tion. The money we raise will help keep the level of our

program competitive with the top sailing programs in

the United States and to keep our program fees afford-

able. We expect this to be a special and historic night for the Southern Yacht Clubs Junior Sail-

ing Program. All donations are tax deductible. Please make sure this gets on your calendar.

On the Adult Sailing scene, we have some major events coming up this month with the

Rhodes 19 Nationals on October 15th -18th and the Soiland Cup Team Race Championship on

November 2nd and 3rd . On November 9th and 10th SYC will be performing its Harbor Clean Up

Event. If you would like to be a volunteer to help with this please contact the club. It’s great to

see so much happening at the club and it’s all about great sailing and improvements for our

sport.

Scott Lindley

SYC Sailing Director

IN THIS ISSUE:Commodore’s Corner 2

Sailing Shorts 3

America’s Cup 4

Great Lake Race 5

Christmas Events 6

Christmas Flyer 7

General Manager 8

Lee Cup 9

Pink Ribbon 10

Ads 11-13

Flyers 14-15

The Tell-Tale is the official publication of the Southern Yacht Club and is pro-

duced by the SYC members.

Tell-Tale StaffBob Maher, editor and publisher

Tom Long, advisor - Lynn Long proof readerBusiness Manager

Bob [email protected]

NOTE: Carefully selected advertising is accepted toguide members to

reliable sources of yachting-related merchandise andservice. Copy and artwork can be black and white orcolor, camera-ready or preferably in digital format

and received by the 1st of each month.

For rates and information, please contact Bob Maher

[email protected]

ON THE COVER:

THE PHRF FLEET ENJOYED A

WARM AND SUNNY DAY WHILE

SAILING RACE 3 OF THE SERIES

Sailing Shorts


continued from page 2 high school fleet racing (Chris [email protected]),

and Midwinter Regatta (Jim [email protected]) needs your help: Welcoming

Committee, registration, merchandise sales, traffic coordination, onshore race support,

safety boat, race committee. All positions are filled by volunteers, just like you. Races are

sailed on Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving. Have you made your Thanksgiving

Dinner reservation yet? Cheryl decorates our table with a cornucopia and pumpkins. Sec-

retary-Treasurer Guy Brierre brings a whole fried turkey.

The new website is being populated with new pages and information right now, but in

order to finish its development, we need savvy young volunteers to make it as nice as our

current website, but with member online account access, regatta registration, dinner reser-

vation, etc., your help will insure success. Contact Kett Cummins

([email protected]) or Vice Commodore Merlin Wilson ([email protected]).

Standing by,

Julian Richards


Gary Jobson reported on the final race of the America’s CupBy Gary Jobson

“First a review of today’s big finale: A brisk wind blew in out

of the WSW at 17-21 knots. With a strong 1.4 knot flood cur-

rent the wind limit was 24.4 knots. Everyone in San Francisco,

and around the world interested in the America’s Cup, was re-

lieved that we would have a race today. Emirates Team New

Zealand won the start at the leeward end of the line and held an

overlap at the first turn. Just as the two AC 72s arrived at Mark

1 USA took a severe nose dive. The thought of another disaster

flashed in my head. But, James Spithill steered his catamaran

out of harm’s way. On the 3 mile run to the leeward gate NZL

held a 2 length lead. When USA 17 jibed, the Kiwis covered

closely. They did not make the same mistake made yesterday

when they failed to cover while leading. The boats split

courses at the gate. NZL headed for the favored right side of

the course that had considerably less current. USA 17 started

foiling to windward at 30 knots. Soon the boats were even.

Yesterday in Race 18, USA 17 got around NZL due to sloppy

tactics by the Kiwis. This time the American team passed on

pure speed. It was impressive.

Spithill and his crew never

looked back. Closing in on

Mark 4 Spithill even smiled a

first in this tension backed re-

gatta. He guided USA 17 across

the finish line to cheers of

10,000 spectators on land, and

millions watching on television

around the world. The Kiwis

gave it their best, but just

weren’t fast enough.”

ORACLE TEAM USA’s victory marks one of the most improb-

able comebacks in the history of sport. The team won 11 races

to score the 9 points required for victory due to a penalty im-

posed by the International Jury. Just last Wednesday, Sept. 18,

ORACLE TEAM USA trailed the series 8-1. With the chal-

lenger on match point, the defender closed out the series with

eight consecutive victories.

This was the third time in

the history of the America’s

Cup with a winner-take-all

final race. Previously, the

defender won in 1920 and

the challenger won in 1983.

Both times the winner ral-

lied from a multi-race

deficit, but never anything

amounting to eight straight

wins.

“This was a wonderful

match of teams,” said Re-

gatta Director Iain Murray,

who’s been involved with the America’s Cup since 1983. “In

the case of a boat coming from behind, 3-1 down as was the

case with Australia II in 83, the shoe is on a different foot this

time around. Then it was the challenger behind and this time it

was the defender. But in the end we had great competition be-

tween two great teams, evenly matched, battling it out to the

end.”

Below: Guy Brierre served Champagne to SYC members to com-

memorate the United States victory. One of those gathered to cheer on

Team Oracle was Kyle Smith who participated in three America’s

Cup campaigns with Dennis Conner. Photo courtesy of Troy Gilbert.


THE GREAT LAKE RACE

Spin A CLASS PL SKIPPER FLEET PLDECISION 1 STEPHEN MURRAY 1DANSOUX 2 JOHN ALDEN MEADE 2ANEMONE TICKLER 3 ANTHONY HUDSON 3REVOLUTION 4 SCOTT SONNIER 4VITESSE 5 PETER SLADOVICH 6DEFIANCE 6 RYAN BANCROFT 7TIARE 7 BILL PROVENSAL 12LUNAMI 8 CELESTE ROMAN 14FOOTLOOSE TOO 9 ELLIOT BRETT 17BIG J 10 RICHARD BERRY 20

SPIN B CLASS PL FLEET PLJ70 #52 1 STANTON MURRAY 5PIER PRESSURE 2 JOHN HENNESSEY 8KOKOPELLI 3 DOUG DOVIE 11NO BRAKES 4 PETER HOPKINS JR. 19MYSTIC 5 GUY BRIERRE 21PURSUIT 6 PATRICK WARING 23MOJO 7 THOMAS MORRIS 24

SPIN C CLASS PL FLEET PLARETHUSA 1 BEN & DOUGWHITE 9HEAVY WATER 2 BARRY HURLBURT 10BLITZ 3 ROBERT GRISOLI 13STRAY BULLET 4 BILL JESSE 15DÉJÀ VU 5 WAYNE CONNELLY 16BALI HAI 6 ALEXANDER & SANDY COHEN 18THE RIGHT STUFF 7 WILLIAM FLOBERG 25HOT CHOCOLATE 8 CASEY GRIMM 27

NON SPIN A CLASS PLSIREN 1 KEVIN McCAFFREY 28IDOL 2 DAVID LOEB 31

NON SPIN BKOALA 1 LOUIS LAMBOU 22QUEST 2 GLENN HIGGINS 26WHY KNOT 3 JACK WISE 29MOLLY 4 SIMON GUNNING 30C'EST LA VIE 5 MORRIS MOLAISON 32

CLASS A WINNER DECISION

CLASS B WINNER MURRAY’S J70

CLASS C WINNER ARETHUSA. PHOTOS COUR-

TESY OF CURTIS CHRISTENSEN AND

NEWORLEANSSAILING.COM.


SYC Christmas events will feature Piano Night, Rockin’ Dopsie, kids’ Santa and High Tea

Members are encouraged to reserve early,as space limits attendance

Southern Yacht club will celebrate a rocking, jolly Christmas as

never before, with a sleigh full of festive events designed to ap-

peal to all ages.

The series of festivities begins with a Piano Night December

3, the first day after the club is festooned with nautically correct

Christmas decorations by Commodoress Cheryl Richards and

her helpers. Social chair Sharon Hannahan promises a night of

holiday standards from the club’s baby grand piano, accompa-

nied by a selection of seasonal and

perennial bar favorites.

The holiday season will then really

get rocking December 13, when the

Annual Christmas Party will fea-

ture the world’s most famous Zy-

deco artist, Rockin’ Dopsie. Tickets

are $60 per person for open bar and

the club’s famous party menu that

will offer an oyster bar, sushi, roast

beef, shrimp and grits, “lollipop”

lamb chops and other seasonal de-

lectables. Continuing a recent tradi-

tion, Santa will make an

appearance at the party accompa-

nied by his hefty elfin helper to dis-

tribute gifts to the girls on his lists,

both naughty and nice. “We favor

the naughty over the nice,” said the

elfin helper, whose identity is kept

a close secret.

The next day, December 14, Santa is scheduled to ride his nau-

tical sleigh to give toys to the kids of SYC. Real kids, not the

older kind. A separate set of elfin helpers is also scheduled to

assist Santa in his duty, as they partake of early morning elfin

magic juice on the ride to SYC. Attendance at the children’s

Santa event is free to members. As in prior years reservations

will not be taken for this event. The club will offer a special

kids buffet that day, along with the regular menu for parents

and their adult friends.

Finally, Saturday, December 21 will feature SYC’s newest tra-

dition, the Christmas High Tea. Based on the huge success of

last year, the High Tea has been expanded to the entire dining

room to accommodate more members and guests.

This year’s attractions will feature Santa reading Cajun NightBefore Christmas, a cookie decorating table, a photo booth, car-

ols around the piano and custom SYC teddy bears for kids 10

and under.

And, of course, holiday punch in both adult and children’s

strength will be generously ladled out, along with a wide selec-

tion of delicious scones, sandwiches and desserts served up at

each table. The Christmas High Tea is already almost sold out,

so co-chairs Natalie Finnegan, Kelly Alfortish and Lee Levert

encourage members to call right away for reservations or at

least for priority on the waiting list. Tickets are $45 for adults

and $35 for children under 18.

“Southern Yacht Club is Santa’s favorite place,” said a certain

jolly old elf, “and that’s why I like to visit early and often. Join

me there.”

Piano Night, December 3

Annual Christmas Party, December 13

Children Meet Santa, December 14

Christmas High Tea, December 21

Santa's large elfin helper, whose identity remains a closely guarded secret, assists Carrie Booker, right,

and Fiona Inglis as they tell Santa what they want for Christmas during last year's annual party.


Annual

Christmas Party

Dopsie & the Zydeco Twisters

$60 per person

Guests are welcome

Friday, December 13th

Call 288-4200 for reservations

Rockin Dopsie - most cherished symbols and a party seems to break out

American Press

Bring your dancing shoes for a night of

Special Guest appearance by Santa Claus

and his hefty elfin helper


General Manager Jerry Clemens commentsFall is in the air. The temperatures have cooled and the

humidity seems to have dropped. There have been several

days at home where Lynn and I have actually not even

turned on the AC. And even the love bugs seem to be

gone. So now, when we get the chance, we can enjoy re-

laxing on our back deck without the heat and constantly

try to swat away

the insects.

We are re-

vamping our Sun-

day Champagne

Brunch as of the

first of Novem-

ber. We are bring-

ing back the

“Jazzy Sunday

Champagne

Brunch” and it

will be bigger and

better than ever!!

It will be so big, in fact, that I don’t think we can contain

it all in the dining room. We will probably have to spill

out into the lobby. The live jazz music is back to add at-

mosphere. The “Waffle Station” making fresh waffles is

back. We’re adding an “Omelet Station” with omelets

made to order. Also, new will be a “Pasta Station” with

two kinds of pasta, two or three kinds of sauce and seven

or eight ingredients. One of our chefs will combine your

choice of pasta, sauce and ingredients to make you a spe-

cially prepared pasta creation just as you like it. There will

be an expanded selection of desserts along with the usual

carved prime rib, fresh made salads and tasty entrees.

We’re sure that after one visit you will be hooked and

you’ll become a regular. One thing is certain………you

won’t need to plan much for dinner ! ! ! !

As many of you may already know, Chef Justin has ten-

dered his resignation and will be moving on to a bigger

challenge. Most people in the hospitality industry at some

point in their career get the urge to operate their own

restaurant. Well, that is exactly the opportunity that Justin

has. He is purchasing a small restaurant and seafood mar-

ket in the area. I couldn’t be happier for him and wish him

the very best. Once he is settled in, Lynn and I will be sure

to pay him a visit.

Of course that creates an opening here which I need to

fill as soon as possible. However, it is much more impor-

tant that I get the right person and not someone right now.

That process has already begun and I have several very vi-

able candidates. In the mean time, we have a good crew in

the galley and they will carry on.

The holiday season is now literally around the corner.

Laura still has just a few dates available but not many. If

you still have not made you plans for that special holiday

party or gathering, please give her a call. She will help

you with all the details that will make it special. And, of

course, with the holidays there are always lots of fun hap-

penings at the Club. Read your edition of the Tale Tell to

see what all is planned and make your reservations early.

Many of the events are limited in capacity and you would-

n’t want to get left out.

Fair winds and following seas.

Jerry

Clarence has been a hard working member of the SYC

staff for over 27 years. Never afraid of the occasional odd-

job around the club, Clarence is always willing to help out

members and the rest of the staff.

Clarence can be found all over the club taking care of

her and helping her shine. He is one of our most dedicated

workers, arriving at the club every morning – sometimes

before the sun is out – to make sure everything is in its

place and ready for the members.

Thanks, Clarence, for your continued dedication to

SYC!

Clarence Joseph has been named October 2013’s SYC Employee of the Month!


SYC SAILORS ATTEND LEE TROPHY REGATTA

L to r: Commodore

Corky Potts, Cardwell

Potts ,Liz Barry,

Jeanne Herman, Jen-

nifer Watkins, Halsey

Richartz, Ed Jude

Glackin, Kaity Storck,

Will Gammell, Baker

Potts, Commodore

Dwight LeBlanc , and

Marian Spurrier.

Over Columbus Day weekend, SYC sailors traveled to Seawan-

haka Corinthian Yacht Club in Oyster Bay, New York for Seawan-

haka’s premiere team racing event, the Lee Trophy. SYC and SCYC

have long enjoyed a great relationship and even have a separate team

racing event every other year just between Seawanhaka and SYC, the

Kathleen Cup. While the Kathleen Cup tends to be a more gentile

friendly competition, the Lee Trophy has traditionally been a much

more intense competition with multiple teams and this year was no

exception. The Lee Trophy was started by longtime Seawanhaka

member, Bruce Lee, and his wife, Jeanetta, and this was the ninetieth

edition, making the Lee Trophy one of the oldest keel boat team rac-

ing events in the country.

Former Seawanhaka Commodore Al Constants and his wife,

Priscilla, served as PRO and Regatta Chair respectively, and they

along with the entire Seawanhaka membership and staff, put on a

great event.

Seven (7) teams, Seawanhaka, Newport Harbor Yacht Club, SYC,

Royal Thames Yacht Club, New York Yacht Club, Boston Yacht Club,

and Yale Corinthian Yacht Club, all competed in twelve identical

Sonars provided by the host club. The format was a three on three um-

pired team race with a goal of completing three full round robins.

Team SYC was a mix of regular SYC team racers and a few new

friends from the East Coast who generously signed on at the last

minute. Boat 1 consisted of long lost SYC son, Cardwell Potts, his fa-

ther, Commodore Corky Potts, his fiancé, Jennifer Watkins, and Ed

Jude Glackin (on Saturday and Sunday), and Pat Slattery (who re-

placed Ed Jude on Monday). On Boat 2 was Baker Potts, his fiancé,

Kaity Storck, Jeanne Herman and Liz Barry, and on Boat 3, Com-

modore Dwight LeBlanc, Will Gammell, Marian Spurrier, and Halsey

Richartz.

The first day of racing brought the first taste of a nor’easter to

Long Island Sound and the breeze started out at a manageable 15 to

18 knots. Team SYC got off to a slow start on Day 1, with a 1 and 2

record. As the day went on, the breeze built to a steady 22 to 25

knots, and after some carnage including two broken booms and a “T-

bone” collision between SYC and Royal Thames, the race committee

wisely decided to call it a day. Can you guess which SYC skipper

was involved in the collision?

Discouraged, but still optimistic, Team SYC warmed up on shore

and after a few “Southsides” (Seawanhaka’s famous cocktail), spirits

were high and plans were made to bounce back from a disappointing

Day 1. Even the CFL was having a good time taking a break from his

crusade against the “All Yawl”.

Day 2 was a beautiful day with milder conditions around 8 to 14

but puffy and shifty. PRO Al Constants and his race committee did a

great job of taking advantage of the conditions by running over 30

races for the day. Team SYC also took advantage of the better condi-

tions going 6 and 2 for Day 2. Sunday evening, the Lee’s hosted a

cocktail reception and buffet for the sailors and Team SYC once again

made its presence known at the party.

Heading into the final day of racing, home team Seawanhaka had a

commanding but not uncatchable lead over 2nd place Newport Har-

bor, with New York, Royal Thames, and Southern in a dogfight for

3rd place and Boston and Yale Corinthian rounding out the field. Day

3 saw light air conditions forcing the race committee to bring us into

Long Island Sound. Just enough breeze filled in to race another 14

races. Seawanhaka continued its winning ways, taking home the Lee

Trophy. Newport Harbor had a solid Day 3 to remain in second.

Team SYC had a close race with Royal Thames on Day 3, but was

able to pull off the win, going 3 and 2 for the day, for a total record of

10 wins and 7 losses, which proved good enough for 3rd place. Need-

less to say, a great time was had by all and we look forward to return-

ing to this prestigious event. Again, we wish many thanks to the Lee

family and SCYC for putting on a great event and a special thanks to

the Storck family for housing and just generally putting up with Team

SYC.

One final reminder is that Southern’s premiere team race event, the

Southern Soiland, will take place over the weekend of November 1st

through 3rd. This is our opportunity to show our team racing friends

some Southern Hospitality, so please come out and support this event

by volunteering, spectating, or just telling our friends hello as they

visit SYC.


Pink Ribbon Regatta

The Pink Ribbon Regatta sailed annually for the benefit of the Louisiana Breast and Cervical Health Program was a fun event with

good participation. The LBCHP provided breast and cervical cancer early detection services to nearly 14,000 women in Louisiana

during 2013. LBCHP's accomplishments would not have been possible without the hard work and dedication of our providers.

This year’s Regatta was a fund raising success due to many volunteers (a few top left) and help from Sponsors (top right) and of

course the sailors buying rating points and supporting the auction boards. The Regatta was sailed in perfect weather conditions

after being delayed a week by Tropical Storm Karen. Above left, Guy Williams (pink Shirt) and his crew took first place in the Spin-

naker Division with a PHRF rating of 495, about the same as a block of concrete. Bottom right, more jolly sailors. A fun event!

phrf sailors head for the finish line during the fall...

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